To address the growing need for a PC security solution tailored to the demands of emerging markets, smaller PC form factors and rapid increases in the incidence of malware, Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a new consumer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection.

The new security offering code named "Morro" is based on Microsoft's malware protection engine and it is slated for release in the second half of 2009.

...[it] will provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans. This new solution, to be offered at no charge to consumers, will be architected for a smaller footprint...

It's a very good move by Microsoft to protect its customers against malware. But I can't help but wonder how Symantec, McAfee and other anti-virus vendors will react to this "no-cost" offering. As long as Microsoft doesn't bundle "Morro" with their OS they'll be safe from anti-trust lawsuits, but offering it for free might bring down the cost of other commercial offerings.

"Morro" will be available as a stand-alone download and offer malware protection for the Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.

They will be discontinuing "Window Live OneCare" effective June 30 2009 in an effort to keep things simple and less confusing for customers.